Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government ramps up plans to protect Britain’s pig sector against African and classical swine fever [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government ramps up plans to protect Britain’s pig sector against African and classical swine fever [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 May 2026.

    New strategy launched to strengthen UK preparedness against African and classical swine fever.

    Plans to strengthen protections for pig farmers and industry have been stepped up today (Thursday 14 May) as the government introduces new measures in the event of a swine fever outbreak.

    African Swine Fever (ASF) is a disease which affects pigs and wild boar and in recent years it has been circulating in parts of Asia and Africa, leading to the deaths of millions of pigs worldwide and causing significant disruption to the meat trade. The disease has also spread to parts of Europe through the movement of wild boar and human actions including moving infected meat.

    Whilst there has never been an outbreak of ASF in the UK, the updated control strategy is an important part of the government’s plans to prevent and respond to a potential future outbreak. 

    The revised strategy introduces a more flexible, risk-based framework designed to control disease effectively without imposing severe restrictions on famers and producers. It reflects the latest scientific and veterinary evidence and aligns with international best practice. 

    A central feature of the update is the introduction of additional restricted zones (Restricted Zones 1, 2 and 3), which can be deployed depending on the situation. This will help farmers avoid blanket movement restrictions on live pigs and pork products, reducing pressures such as overcrowding and enabling day-to-day operations to continue more smoothly. 

    The strategy, developed jointly with Scottish and Welsh Governments, also strengthens surveillance requirements. Veterinary inspectors will carry out visits to premises within disease control zones to verify compliance, while enhanced testing will support earlier detection of infection. These measures are expected to provide greater confidence in disease freedom, allowing restrictions to be lifted sooner. 

    Risk-based movement licensing has been expanded to support both welfare and business continuity. Under veterinary oversight, pigs may be moved within zones for welfare reasons or to complete production cycles, helping to prevent overcrowding and maintain appropriate housing conditions. 

    Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman said:

    This updated strategy reflects our commitment to working in partnership with farmers and the wider pig industry to manage disease risks effectively and protect a sector worth over £8 billion.  

    These changes will help reduce unnecessary pressures on farmers and producers, maintain high standards of welfare, and ensure we are well prepared to respond quickly and confidently to any outbreak.

    UK Chief  Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said:  

    Our updated swine fever disease control strategy will ensure that we are better prepared than ever before to respond swiftly and effectively to a potential outbreak of African and classical swine fevers.  

    Enhanced surveillance and flexible movement licensing will help us detect disease earlier and protect our national herd whilst maintain essential farming operations in a biosecure manner. Whilst the disease is not present in Great Britain, we encourage all farmers to maintain strong biosecurity standards and familiarise themselves with the new measures.

    Further updates include: 

    • A clearer framework for implementing a national movement ban, ensuring restrictions are proportionate and lifted as soon as conditions allow.
    • Greater flexibility in meat controls, allowing certain products from restricted zones to remain commercially viable under specific conditions.
    • Detailed guidance on cleansing and disinfection procedures, helping producers plan for safe and timely restocking.

    The duration of disease control zones has also been revised. For example, the minimum period for protection zones has been reduced to 15 days, down from 30-45, following initial cleansing and disinfection, subject to surveillance outcomes. This is expected to significantly reduce welfare pressures on farms while maintaining robust disease safeguards. 

    The updated framework also strengthens the UK’s ability to apply regionalisation principles, helping to protect trade by enabling disease-free areas to continue exporting safely during an outbreak. 

    ASF poses no risk to human health as it only affects pigs and related animals. Everyone can help to stop the spread of ASF to the UK by doing the following: 

    • If you have visited ASF-affected areas in Europe, or elsewhere in the world, you must not bring any pork or pork products back to the UK. 
    • Disposing of leftovers or food waste in secure bins that pigs or wildlife cannot access. 
    • Farmers, the public and members of the food industry should practise high biosecurity standards, including never feeding catering waste, kitchen scraps or meat products to pigs which is illegal and can spread the disease. 

    The Government continually monitors disease outbreaks around the world to assess whether there may be risks for the UK and takes action to limit the risk of the disease reaching our shores. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : Defence firms incentivised to deliver on time as MOD ties profit rates to improved delivery [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Defence firms incentivised to deliver on time as MOD ties profit rates to improved delivery [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 May 2026.

    The Government is cracking down on waste and delays as defence companies are to be incentivised to deliver equipment on time and on budget with new reforms to Single Source Contract Regulations.

    • New rules, announced today, mean suppliers can be paid more for completing projects to time and budget, while those who fail to deliver will receive less
    • Incentive payments of up to 10% can reward suppliers who get equipment to our Armed Forces faster and more efficiently.
    • Smaller and innovative businesses will find it easier to work with defence, bringing new ideas and technologies to the frontline sooner.

    Defence companies will be incentivised to provide equipment to the Armed Forces faster and more efficiently but could earn less if they fail to deliver under a government crackdown on waste and delays.

    Defence procurement will be sped up under the changes being introduced by Ministers in Parliament today, which will see the amount of profit companies can make from a contract being tied to delivering on time.

    Through changes to the Single Source Contract Regulations (SSCRs), suppliers who deliver at pace, improve productivity and take on more risk will earn more, while those who do not could make less.

    Every pound saved through better supplier performance is a pound that can be reinvested in equipping the Armed Forces.

    Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: 

    To deliver the warfighting readiness our country requires, we need procurement that delivers on time and on budget. We inherited a programme where 96% of our major defence projects had issues with delivery or cost. That is not acceptable.

    That’s why suppliers who deliver better outcomes and take on appropriate risk will be rewarded, but those who do not, will make less profit.

    That is how we make sure we get more equipment to the front line faster.

    These reforms deliver on commitments made in both the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which said that with the promise to invest more comes a responsibility to invest better.

    The reforms introduce four key changes:

    • Maximum incentive payments for suppliers will increase from 2% to 10% of costs, but only when suppliers hit agreed performance targets, giving the MOD the ability to reward suppliers who get equipment into service faster.
    • Profit floors on lower-risk contracts will be reduced, so suppliers could earn less unless they improve performance. The new rules will allow higher-risk contracts to attract stronger returns – motivating suppliers to take on the risk-bearing work the DIS specifically committed to encouraging.
    • A new Innovation Uplift will reward suppliers, particularly smaller businesses and new entrants to defence, who invest their own money in developing new products without a guaranteed government contract.
    • The threshold at which contracts come under the regulations will rise from £5 million to £25 million, meaning nearly all small and medium-sized enterprises will no longer have to comply with the mandatory reporting regulations, while keeping 97% of single-source contracting value within the model.

    Today, the Government is laying a Statutory Instrument to increase available incentive payments. A further Statutory Instrument, covering the profit floor changes, the Innovation Uplift and the increased threshold, will be introduced prior to the Summer recess. We will be consulting on these changes in the coming weeks.

    Rupert Pearce, National Armaments Director, said: 

    The NAD Group is committed to driving greater performance across the defence enterprise. These changes give us better tools to reward innovation, incentivise delivery, and ensure that public money is spent where it generates real value. We will work closely with industry and the Single Source Regulations Office to implement them effectively.

    The reforms have been developed after extensive discussions with industry and the Single Source Regulations Office and support the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group’s wider mission to accelerate procurement and ensure critical capabilities reach UK warfighters faster. 

  • PRESS RELEASE : Report by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Report by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2026.

    Ambassador Holland reaffirmed UK support for the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, welcoming progress across all three dimensions, including security cooperation, economic governance and human rights. He underscored the value of a strong field presence and urged continued focus on impact, sustainability and alignment with OSCE commitments.

    Thank you Mr Chair and thank you Ambassador for your comprehensive report.

    The UK expresses its strong support for the wide range of activities by your office, delivered across all three OSCE dimensions. We particularly welcome the Office’s assistance to strengthen resilience to transnational threats, including on border management, cybercrime and violent extremism. As chair of the Security Committee the UK stands ready to support this work. We also support sustained efforts to improve economic governance, anticorruption practices, environmental monitoring and inclusive growth. The scale of engagement on media literacy, youth participation, women’s economic empowerment and regional dialogue demonstrate the continued relevance of the OSCE’s comprehensive security approach in Central Asia and the value of a well‑embedded field presence.

    In the human dimension, the UK welcomes the Office’s concrete contributions to strengthening the rule of law, preventing torture, advancing judicial reform and supporting gender responsive and child friendly justice, including through work on the Istanbul Protocol, investigative judges and trafficking prevention. We also note positively your role in facilitating regional co‑operation and exchange of good practice, including on Women, Peace and Security and youth engagement.

    We remain a strong supporter of your mandate. As with all field missions we encourage continued focus on impact, sustainability and close alignment with OSCE commitments, particularly in a constrained resource environment.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s attack on cooperative security in Europe – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s attack on cooperative security in Europe – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 May 2026.

    Ambassador Holland welcomed the US-brokered ceasefire and Ukraine’s efforts to pursue peace, condemns Russia’s mass attack on Kyiv and highlighted how Russia’s actions have undermined cooperative security, OSCE mechanisms and trust.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the US-brokered ceasefire of 9–11 May. We note Ukraine’s offer to extend the ceasefire on long-range strikes beyond 11 May. This offer fits squarely with Ukraine’s long-standing efforts to create a more conducive environment for negotiations on a just and lasting peace. Regrettably, Russia wasted no time in restarting long-range strikes – once again choosing the path of destruction over the path of peace.

    We saw the consequences of this overnight, with Russia launching over 600 drones and nearly 60 missiles, predominantly at Kyiv. A residential building, a school and a veterinary clinic were damaged. We condemn these barbaric attacks.

    Mr Chair, children have been among the most gravely affected by Russia’s decision to choose war. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported, subjected to indoctrination, and, in some cases, exposed to militarisation.

    That is why the United Kingdom has imposed a package of targeted sanctions against individuals and entities involved in the forced deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children. These measures form part of a coordinated international response alongside our partners, including the UK’s participation at the High‑Level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children in Brussels, reaffirming our commitment to accountability and to the safe return of children to their families and communities. We will, of course, return to this subject later in our meeting.

    Mr Chair, this Council exists because participating States once shared a clear vision of security in Europe. The Helsinki Final Act spoke of security built “through cooperation” rather than confrontation, and the Charter of Paris committed us to a Europe “whole, free and at peace”. The OSCE was designed to translate that vision into practical tools: dialogue, transparency, restraint, and verification.

    Russia’s actions over many years have steadily eroded that model. The continued presence of Russian forces in Moldova and Georgia against the host countries’ will, the illegal attempted annexation of Crimea, and Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine have all struck at the foundations of cooperative security. Alongside this, Russia has hollowed out the OSCE’s instruments: obstructing confidence- and security-building measures, disregarding requests under the Vienna Document, and contributing to the wider erosion of the European arms control architecture.

    The impact is visible in this very room. Weekly Permanent Council meetings are confrontational rather than problem-solving.  Agreed OSCE mechanisms for military transparency and risk reduction are weakened or unused. Trust has been replaced by accusation, and predictability has been replaced by escalation.

    Russia’s treatment of this Organisation has also unfortunately extended to its personnel. We condemn the continued detention of our three colleagues: Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov. This is emblematic of a broader pattern: obstruction of independent scrutiny and disregard for the spirit of commitments undertaken by consensus.

    Mr Chair, none of this was inevitable. The OSCE does not require reinvention; it requires recommitment. A return to the founding purpose of this organisation would mean engaging seriously with OSCE mechanisms, restoring transparency and restraint, respecting agreed rules, and ending actions that fundamentally contradict them.

    Above all, it would require Russia to end its illegal war of aggression and to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian, Moldovan and Georgian territory.  We urge Russia to do this. Above all, of course, because it is the right thing to do. But also because it is the only way to change the status of this organisation from a theatre for confrontation, which is a direct consequence of Russia’s actions, to something more recognisable to all of its founding fathers.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Bill that could nationalise British Steel takes first step through Parliament [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bill that could nationalise British Steel takes first step through Parliament [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 14 May 2026.

    The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill will take its first step through Parliament today with its First Reading.

    A Bill to grant the Government powers to nationalise steel companies such as British Steel, subject to a public interest being met, will be introduced to Parliament today (14 May), marking an important step towards safeguarding the long‑term future of the UK steel industry.

    The Bill will have its First Reading – its formal introduction to Parliament – today, with its Second Reading expected to take place in the near future where MPs will have their first opportunity to debate the Bill and give their opinions.

    Safeguarding Britain’s steel capability and capacity is firmly in the national interest. The Bill provides the Government with a route to bring steel companies, such as British Steel, into public ownership where this is necessary and when a public interest test is met.

    The legislation builds on the Government’s Steel Strategy, launched in March, which sets out a long‑term plan to revitalise the UK steel sector, restore domestic production to sustainable levels and secure steel’s role in critical sectors including national infrastructure, defence and clean energy.

    Industry Minister Chris McDonald said:

    Revitalising our steel sector is a top priority for this country, and this is an important first step to safeguard our steelmaking capability which would allow us to secure the future of British Steel and explore possible options to modernise the industry.

    The fact this is one of the first of all the Bills announced yesterday to start its passage through Parliament shows this government is serious about securing Britain’s domestic steel production, and we’re putting it right at the top of our agenda.

    Director General of UK Steel Gareth Stace, said:

    We strongly welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement to legislate for the nationalisation of British Steel. This provides vital certainty for the workforce, the company’s customers and the wider supply chain at a critical moment.

    Steel is a foundation industry and a recognised strategic national asset. Maintaining domestic production capability for British Steel’s products is essential not only for economic growth but also for our national security and resilience.

    The Bill will apply across the whole of the UK and includes provisions for independently assessed compensation where its powers are used.

    Steel remains a cornerstone of Britain’s economy, supporting around 37,000 direct jobs and more than 60,000 jobs across supply chains. But years of global overcapacity, unfair competition and high operating costs have made it harder for UK‑based steel companies to compete and invest.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Defence Minister calls on London and the East of England to join new £50m nationwide veteran support network [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Defence Minister calls on London and the East of England to join new £50m nationwide veteran support network [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 May 2026.

    Funding of up to £1m available for existing veterans’ hubs across the UK to join VALOUR – the Ministry of Defence’s new support system.

    An estimated 100,000 veterans in London and the East of England stand to benefit from VALOUR,  a new network of recognised centres that will coordinate access to support across health, housing, employment and more. 

    The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in the Ministry of Defence has already provided £13m of funding to 14 organisations to join the UK-wide VALOUR system, with the OVA inviting organisations in London and the East of England in particular to apply for funding. 

    Government ministers are calling on existing centres that support veterans, voluntary organisations and local councils to apply this spring for funding between £200k and £1m to join the system. 

    Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones said: 

    London has a rich military heritage as the strategic nerve centre of defence, home to the nation’s most famous veterans at the Tower of London and Royal Hospital Chelsea, countless ceremonial and reservist units, and the headquarters of numerous veteran charities.

    The East of England also has a rich military heritage, with its airfields playing a crucial role in campaigns during the Second World War. Today, the region is the home of F-35 jets, key intelligence and surveillance facilities.

    It is only right that veterans in these areas have a physical point of contact where they can be assisted to access the support that’s right for them.

    Alongside VALOUR-recognised centres, the £50m VALOUR system will include a headquarters in the OVA, field officers to evolve local networks, increased capacity for MOD Veterans Services, and an online support platform. The system will work together to share data and form better connections between national government and councils, voluntary organisations, and service providers. 

    The UK Government is investing record levels in support for our veterans, and is renewing the nation’s commitment to those who serve with a 10-year Veterans Strategy, which aims to celebrate and support veterans, and help them to contribute to their local communities and the economy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Defence delivering on diplomacy strategy as Minister visits Western Balkans and Türkiye [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Defence delivering on diplomacy strategy as Minister visits Western Balkans and Türkiye [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 May 2026.

    UK Defence Minister Lord Coaker visited Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo strengthening NATO partnerships and Euro-Atlantic security across the Western Balkans.

    • UK-Türkiye industrial relationship strengthened following the landmark £8 billion Typhoon export agreement.
    • Visit underscores importance of alliances and partnerships in this new era for defence.

    Defence Minister Lord Coaker has completed a four-country tour reaffirming Britain’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic security, defence partnerships, and regional stability.

    Earlier this week in Podgorica, Lord Coaker met with Prime Minister Spajić and Defence Minister Krapović. Discussions in Montenegro covered NATO, defence modernisation, and Ukraine support. 2026 is the 20th anniversary of Montenegro’s independence and the visit provided an opportunity to both expand our partnership and mark this important milestone for our NATO Ally.

    Visiting Serbia, Lord Coaker laid a wreath at the Commonwealth War Cemetery, honouring the shared sacrifice that underpins the UK’s enduring commitment to the region. He met Assistant Minister for Defence, Nenad Miloradović, Assistant Minister for Defence Policy, Predrag Bandić, and Chief of General Staff General Mojsilović. 

    In Kosovo, Lord Coaker visited UK personnel serving with NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) at Camp Novo Selo. KFOR is an international peacekeeping force focused on maintaing security and stability for all peoples of Kosovo.

    The Minister also met Kosovo’s Minister for Defence to discuss support for the Kosovo Security Force’s and their alignmemt with NATO standards, underlining the UK’s long-term commitment to peace and security in the region.

    The tour concluded in Istanbul at SAHA 2026, Türkiye’s premier defence and aerospace exhibition. Lord Coaker held senior meetings with Turkish political, military, and industry leaders.

    Building on the recent landmark £8 billion Typhoon agreement, Lord Coaker’s visit is part of an enduring and strengthening UK-Türkiye defence partnership.

    Defence Minister Lord Coaker said:

    Our partnerships are our strategic strength and my meetings with friends and allies this week show the importance of deepening defence cooperation, and standing together as increasing threats challenge our security and stability.

    That spirit of stronger cooperation extends to our defence industries, including our Typhoon exports to Turkey. Working with trusted allies boosts British businesses, drives innovation and supports highly skilled jobs at home.

    By investing in these partnerships abroad, we strengthen our own capabilities and security at home.

    Lord Coaker engaged with some of the UK’s defence businesses including BAE Systems, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce.

    The visit supports the build up to the NATO Summit in Ankara in July.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £12.4 million boost to modernise foster care [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £12.4 million boost to modernise foster care [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 14 May 2026.

    New fund aims to make fostering more accessible and support more people to become carers, as part of wider drive to create 10,000 new foster places.

    Thousands more children and young people will benefit from stable, loving homes as the government launches a new £12.4 million Fostering Innovation Fund to make foster care more accessible and inclusive across England.

    The Fund will help fostering around modern lifestyles and household structures, by updating models of foster care, which set out how care should be delivered. 

    For too long, foster care has been provided on the assumption that people need to be in traditional, married relationships with only one carer working full time to be successful. The Department for Education reforms aim to attract a younger and more diverse mixture of carers as well as improving the experience of fostering for existing carers.

    The new fund will support the modernisation of the foster care system, enabling more flexibility in how care is provided, without compromising on safeguarding standards. Fostering helps to give vulnerable young people the best possible start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity.

    The funding will be allocated to Regional Care Co-operatives and fostering hubs, which are operated by Local Authorities. They will be collaborating with a range of partners, potentially including children’s charities and commercial providers to develop and trial innovative new models of foster care 

    Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister said:

    Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a safe and loving home, and I’ve been truly inspired by the foster carers I have met who make that happen.

    This investment will help us bring fostering into the 21st century, moving on from outdated assumptions about who can foster and how care should be offered and opening it up to a wider range of people.

    This will help us recruit more carers, and change more children’s lives by giving them a stable home.

    Innovation in the fostering sector is already being driven forward in many parts of England. For example, a foster carer with four years’ experience in Manchester was previously limited to one placement due to space constraints in her home. With a £7,800 grant provided through the local Room Makers scheme run by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, she reconfigured her home and will soon welcome siblings.

    Other new forms of care being trialled by some organisations include respite or weekend-only fostering, whereby children spend time with foster carers at weekends or for shorter periods during a week. This can support other forms of long-term care, such as a child in a residential care home or being looked after by extended family members.  

    These innovative approaches can improve outcomes for children and families and make fostering more appealing to a wider range of people.

    Launched during Foster Care Fortnight, the Fund will help Fostering Hubs and Regional Care Cooperatives to expand successful fostering programmes and trial new ways of supporting foster families and children.

    This includes opportunities to form partnerships between organisations so they can more effectively test and develop new approaches.

    Sara Fernandez, CEO at NOW Foster, said:  

    At Now Foster, we believe fostering should be something many more people can see themselves being part of. Children in care need safe, stable and loving homes, and they also need a village of trusted adults who can stay alongside them as they grow up. We love seeing people step in as Weekenders, building long-term relationships with children when they might not otherwise be able to foster full-time.

    These relationships can bring consistency, joy and love to children, while also offering vital support to full-time carers. They also give people a way to build their confidence, skills and understanding of fostering, should they want to foster more in the future. By making fostering more flexible and accessible, we can open the door to more people offering the kinds of enduring relationships that can change a child’s life.

    Andy Elvin, CEO of TACT, said:  

    TACT is delighted by the investment the government are making in foster care. We are equalled thrilled by the attention the Minister is paying fostering and the pace at which he is acting to address longstanding issues in the sector which have been largely ignored in the past decade. Fostering is more than providing a home, it is about providing a future, about showing up when it matters most & about being there for the long term.

    Fostering is a commitment and it is heartening that the commitment shown by tens of thousands of foster carers day in , day out in the UK, is now being matched by the Government. This is not just about investing in fostering, it’s about investing in the children in our communities who need it the most.

    Dame Carol Homden, Coram CEO, said:  

    This investment is a timely and clear acknowledgment of the strength and potential of a fostering sector that is already rich with creativity, commitment and practical innovation.

    What is particularly encouraging is the opportunity this fund creates for local authorities, independent fostering agencies and wider partners to work together more intentionally, as collaboration is essential if we are serious about improving outcomes for children in care. 

    The investment forms part of the government’s wider plans to reform and expand foster care, creating 10,000 additional foster care places over the course of this Parliament.

    The fund was first announced in February as part of the government’s Fostering Action Plan, which set out measures to make fostering more flexible, improve support for carers, and update local authority decision-making processes on who can become a foster carer.

    The funding will support projects designed to improve outcomes for children and young people, including initiatives aimed at preventing children from entering residential care unnecessarily and helping them remain in family-based settings wherever possible.

    The launch forms part of wider activity planned during Foster Care Fortnight, to raise awareness of fostering and encourage more people to consider becoming foster carers.

    Successful applicants to the fund are expected to be announced later this summer following the close of the application process.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Next-generation remote controlled artillery systems to transform British Army [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Next-generation remote controlled artillery systems to transform British Army [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 May 2026.

    British soldiers will be equipped with modern guns capable of firing eight rounds per minute at targets up to 70km away – delivering the long-term close support artillery solution for the British Army, a landmark moment in UK defence modernisation.

    • Procurement of 72 Remote Controlled Howitzers (RCH 155) for the British Army will deliver a step change in artillery capability.
    • The UK’s £1 billion investment delivers on the UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement, and supports at least 500 British jobs, including at Rheinmetall’s Telford facility and KNDS Stockport.
    • Rheinmetall set to use British steel through Sheffield Forgemasters, strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base and supporting the UK Steel Strategy.  

    72 Remote Controlled Howitzers (RCH 155) will be procured under a nearly £1 billion contract, which includes initial training and in-service support, awarded by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) on behalf of the British Army to ARTEC GmbH, a joint venture between KNDS and Rheinmetall.

    The weapon systems – the barrel, breech, recoil system and trunnions – will be manufactured at Rheinmetall’s large-calibre production Telford facility. Rheinmetall is set to use British steel supplied by Sheffield Forgemasters, supporting the UK Steel Strategy which recognises steel is fundamental to the UK’s industry and national resilience. 

    The BOXER drive module – chassis, engine, drive train – that the weapon system sits on will be manufactured by KNDS UK in Stockport, sustaining critical armoured steel welding in Britain as well as supporting 100 skilled jobs in Stockport. Together, the programme is expected to support the creation of 100 new skilled jobs at Rheinmetall’s Telford facility, support 100 jobs at KNDS Stockport and back 300 jobs in the wider UK supply chain.

    The programme delivers on the Trinity House Agreement by strengthening UK-German collaboration and deepening interoperability between Allied forces.  

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    This major investment is defence delivering for the battlefield and for Britain’s economy. By securing next-generation artillery with Germany, not only are we rearming to strengthen NATO against growing Russian aggression but also creating highly skilled jobs here in Britain.  

    This is what we mean when we say defence is an engine for growth – investment in our security that powers new jobs across the country.

    German Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, said:

    The RCH 155 will significantly enhance the artillery’s firepower, safety and flexibility. It is a vital element of modern artillery support. Together with the United Kingdom, we are demonstrating that we take interoperability within NATO seriously and are putting it into practice.

    At the same time, we are underlining the close defence cooperation between Germany and the UK. My British counterpart John Healey and I are keeping our word and are implementing the Trinity House Arrangement step by step. Joint exercises and training will bring our armed forces even closer together. This will deepen military cooperation in the long term and improve our operational readiness – for greater security in Europe.

    RCH 155 is mounted on a BOXER chassis and can redeploy at speeds of up to 100km/h, making it harder for adversaries to target. Advanced automation of the turret allows the platform to be operated at the push of a button from the crew compartment by just two soldiers. 

    First deliveries of the RCH 155 vehicles are expected in 2028 to achieve a minimal deployable capability within this decade. This contract follows the £52 million Early Capability Demonstrator contract signed in December 2025 and a £53 million Long Lead Item procurement contract earlier this year, facilitating Rheinmetall’s large calibre gun manufacturing facility in Telford. 

    Rheinmetall aims to use British steel supplied by Sheffield Forgemasters, which manufactures specialist steel parts used in critical defence programmes and employs 720 skilled staff. The government invested over £420 million of additional funding in Sheffield Forgemasters last year, bolstering sovereign steelmaking capability for defence, including gun barrels and nuclear submarines. 

    The RCH 155 replaces the AS90 artillery systems granted in kind to Ukraine in 2023. The Archer artillery system currently serves as an interim capability and will continue to do so until the RCH 155 enters service.  

    The RCH 155 procurement between the UK and Germany builds on the Trinity House Agreement signed in October 2024. This commitment to improve and enhance bilateral defence cooperation between both nations will exploit the combined capabilities of each nation’s test and evaluation centres, to enable faster delivery at less cost. It will deepen interoperability between Allied forces and directly strengthen NATO’s collective defence on the eastern flank. It also anchors significant industrial benefit in Britain, supporting the skilled workers who will build and maintain them.  

    The investment also supports the Strategic Defence Review’s ambition to make defence an engine for growth and the Army’s goal to deliver tenfold greater lethality within the next decade.   

    Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen Simon Hamilton CBE said:  

    Britain answered the call for aid by providing artillery systems to Ukraine at the outbreak of the war. We knew the risk – the gap in our warfighting capability – that this would present. The success of bringing the RCH 155 onto contract to develop our 155mm Close Support Artillery requirement, in collaboration with Germany, marks the first significant milestone in replenishing this capability. We are grateful to the National Armaments Director, our industry partners and our own programme teams for the fantastic work which they have done to bring this to fruition and look forward to our continued work with our German allies.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Citizens’ Rights Specialised Committee meeting [May 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Citizens’ Rights Specialised Committee meeting [May 2026]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 May 2026.

    The UK Government and European Commission gave a joint statement following the 18th meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights.

    The 18th meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights was held on 13 May 2026 in Brussels, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government. Representatives from EU Member States were also in attendance.

    The co-chairs took stock of the implementation of the Citizens’ Rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and discussed elements that require further work, under the overall objective of ensuring the full, timely and faithful implementation of the Agreement.

    Representatives from civil society organisations, representing EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU, attended the meeting and expressed their views and experience from the ground.

    The co-chairs welcomed overall progress on the issuance of documents for Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries correctly evidencing their status, while noting that many beneficiaries were yet to obtain them. They underlined the importance of ensuring a successful transition to permanent residence for all eligible EU citizens and UK nationals over the course of this year.  

    The co-chairs also discussed the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme (ETA) and recalled that guidance is available for Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries for a better understanding of the applicable rules on the websites of the Commission (PDF, 528KB) and of the UK Government.

    The EU reiterated the concerns about the approaches that affect the rights of EU citizens when attempting to travel on a certificate of application, access to proper appeal rights for EU citizens whom the UK authorities consider were originally granted their residence status in error, and about NHS charges for those who submit a successful residence application after the June 2021 deadline, with particular consequences for newborn children. 

    The UK highlighted its concerns with the implementation of one member state concerning the treatment of late applications and the risk of further issues in the future as UK nationals seek to acquire permanent residence. The UK also noted that several EU Member States are not currently providing overseas criminal conviction certificates in a timely fashion, resulting in delays to EUSS application processing times. 

    The EU and the UK underlined their ongoing commitment to the full implementation of the Citizens’ Rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement and to continue meeting regularly to advance. They agreed to meet again in autumn 2026.